Kigali Business Setup helps entrepreneurs, investors and expats set up a business in Rwanda and stay compliant afterwards. We guide you through RDB company registration, your RRA TIN and tax registration, VAT and tax declarations, Rwanda work permits and residence permits, opening a business bank account, investment certificates, and monthly accounting and payroll with RSSB. When a step needs a licensed professional, we connect you with accredited accountants, lawyers and agents.
Rwanda makes much of this easier than people expect. RDB company registration is free and online, and RDB says compliant applications are completed within six working hours. Most permits and many government services are handled through Irembo. So why use us? Because the hard part is not the form. It is knowing which structure, permit class and tax regime fit you, getting documents right the first time, and keeping on top of deadlines that carry real penalties.
What we help with
- Company registration: private companies, branches of foreign companies and individual enterprises, registered with RDB.
- TIN number: issued with RDB registration, or at RRA for individuals, plus MyRRA access.
- Tax declarations: VAT, PAYE, withholding tax, prepayments and the annual return due by 31 March.
- Work permits: choosing the DGIE class and applying on Irembo.
- Residence permits: dependants, retirees and investors.
- Business bank accounts: document packs and bank introductions.
- Investment certificates: RDB registration and incentives under the 2021 investment law.
- Accounting and payroll: bookkeeping, PAYE and RSSB contributions.
- Moving to Rwanda: a practical guide for individuals and families.
What is free, and where we add value
We think you should know what the government charges before you pay anyone. Here is the picture as of October 2026, from official sources.
| Task | Official cost | Where it is done | What we add |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company registration | Free | RDB online portal | Structure advice, document checks, follow-up |
| TIN | Free with RDB registration | RDB / RRA | MyRRA setup, tax registration plan |
| VAT registration | No fee | RRA | Threshold monitoring, EBM setup |
| Work permit (H1, H2) | RWF 150,000 for 2 years | Irembo / DGIE | Class selection, document review |
| Dependant permit | Half of the principal's fee | Irembo / DGIE | Family planning of renewals |
| Investment certificate | USD 500 | RDB One Stop Centre | Business plan and incentive check |
| Foreigner ID card | RWF 5,000 | DGIE | Timing and collection |
Our own fees are separate, quoted in writing and agreed before work begins.
How it works
- Tell us your plan. Use the form on this page. Share your nationality, what you want to set up and your timeline.
- Get a clear plan. We reply with the steps, the government fees, the documents you need and a quote for our support.
- We prepare and file. We check documents, complete online applications with you and track them with RDB, RRA, RSSB or DGIE.
- Stay compliant. We set up your filing calendar and reminders, and connect you with accredited accountants for monthly work.
Who we work with
Foreign investors and founders
RDB allows 100% foreign ownership, with no minimum share capital for a private company. You will still need a director who is ordinarily resident in Rwanda, notarised parent company documents if a foreign company is a shareholder, and an investor permit to live here. We plan these steps in the right order.
Expats relocating to Kigali
Whether you are joining a Kigali employer, an NGO or a spouse, the permit class and documents matter. Fees on DGIE permits are not refunded if an application is refused, so getting the class right first time saves money.
Rwandan entrepreneurs
You can register online with your national ID in minutes. Where we help is the next stage: choosing the right tax regime, VAT and EBM, hiring your first employees with RSSB and PAYE, and avoiding penalties of 20% to 60% for late declaration and payment.
Deadlines worth remembering
- Within 7 days of passing the VAT threshold of RWF 20 million in 12 months or RWF 5 million in three months: register for VAT.
- 15th of the month after each period: VAT and PAYE declarations (quarterly for turnover up to RWF 200 million) and monthly RSSB contributions.
- 30 June, 30 September, 31 December: income tax prepayments for real regime businesses.
- 31 January: trading licence tax, once your two-year exemption as a micro or small business ends.
- 31 March: annual income tax declaration.
Based in Kigali, working across Rwanda
We work from Kigali, close to the institutions you will deal with, including RDB on KG 9 Avenue and the DGIE on KG 7 Avenue. Most of the work is online, so we support clients across Rwanda and abroad.
Why compliance matters from day one
Rwanda's tax procedures law is strict. Declaring and paying late costs 20% of the tax due within 30 days, rising to 60% after 60 days, plus monthly interest. Nil returns are still required when you had no sales. Operating without VAT registration when you should have registered costs 50% of the VAT due for the whole period. Tax arrears also block the tax clearance certificate you need for tenders and for recurring investor permits.
None of this is difficult to avoid with a calendar and someone checking it. That is the core of what we do after setup: reminders, document checks and coordination with accredited accountants so returns go in on time.
Get started
Use the form on this page to tell us what you need. We will reply with a plan, the official costs and a written quote. No obligation, and no pressure to use us for steps you are happy to do yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kigali Business Setup a government agency or law firm?
No. We are an independent advisory service. We guide you through RDB, RRA, RSSB and DGIE processes, prepare and check documents, and connect you with accredited accountants and lawyers when a task needs a licensed professional. We never present ourselves as a government office.
Can I register a company in Rwanda myself?
Yes. RDB states that business registration is 100% online and free of charge, and that compliant applications are completed within six working hours. Many people register themselves. Clients use us to save time, avoid rejections over documents and handle the tax, permit and banking steps that follow.
Can foreigners own a company in Rwanda?
Yes. RDB states that 100% non-local shareholding is allowed and there is no minimum share capital for a private company. The companies law requires at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Rwanda, and a local physical address for the registered office.
What taxes will my new company pay?
It depends on turnover. Micro-enterprises up to RWF 12 million pay a fixed annual amount, businesses between RWF 12 and 20 million pay 3% of turnover, and above that companies pay 28% corporate income tax. VAT at 18% applies above RWF 20 million turnover.
How much do your services cost?
It depends on what you need. Government fees, such as the free RDB registration or the RWF 150,000 DGIE fee for most work permits, are paid directly to the government. Our support is quoted separately and agreed with you in writing before any work starts.
Can you help if I am not yet in Rwanda?
Yes. Company registration is online, so we can prepare your application while you are abroad, as long as you have a director who is ordinarily resident in Rwanda. Foreign corporate documents must be notarised in the country of origin and translated if needed.
What happens after my company is registered?
You will typically need VAT registration once you pass the threshold, an Electronic Billing Machine, a business bank account, RSSB registration for staff, and a calendar of RRA declarations. Micro and small enterprises are exempt from trading licence tax for their first two years.